The Regular Meeting of Town Council for the Town of Mahone Bay, was held on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.

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1 The Regular Meeting of Town Council for the Town of Mahone Bay, was held on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor J. Feeney Councillor K. Wilson Councillor J. Bain Councillor K. Nauss Councillor L. Hennigar Councillor P. Carver CAO J. Wentzell Deputy Clerk M. Hughes Director of Operations, D. MacKenzie Via Skype: Deputy Mayor D. Devenne Gallery: Three Minutes A Motion by Councillor Bain, seconded by Councillor Carver, THAT the Minutes of the February 9, 2016 regular meeting be approved as presented. Motion carried Council met In Camera on February 9, 2016 to discuss labour relations as permitted under Section 22(2)(d) of the Municipal Government Act. Delegations and/or Invited Guests Alicia Van de Sande Lunenburg County Seniors Safety Program Alicia Van de Sande, Seniors Safety Coordinator, with the Lunenburg County Seniors Safety Program, presented an overview of her program to Council. The Seniors Safety Program is a project of South Shore Safe Communities and works in partnership with the Bridgewater Police Department, the RCMP and four Lunenburg County municipalities, including the Town of Mahone Bay. Ms. Van de Sande advised Council that Seniors Safety Programs operate in most areas of Nova Scotia to support seniors living safely in their own homes through individual interventions and workshops and presentations at the community level. The primary referral agent for the service at present is the policing agencies as Ms. Van de Sande is able to reduce the amount of time that the Police services spend on non-police issues. A motion by Councillor Hennigar, seconded by Councillor Carver, THAT the request from Lunenburg County Seniors Safety Partnership for a grant from the Town of Mahone Bay in the amount of $533 be approved and included as such in the 2016/17 budget. 1

2 Correspondence Correspondence was received from: 1. Allen Webber, Chair, SSREN Liaison and Oversight Committee, informing of SSREN Liaison and Oversight Committee appointments. 2. Marianne Gates, Sponsorship Chair, Events Lunenburg County, expressing thanks to sponsors of the 2016 World Sledge Hockey Challenge. 3. Zach Churchill, Minister of Municipal Affairs, informing of a deposit from the 911 Cost Recovery Fund. A motion by Councillor Nauss, seconded by Councillor Hennigar, THAT the above correspondence, numbered 1-3 be received and filed. Committee & Other Reports Director of Operations Derrick MacKenzie, Director of Operations, reviewed his monthly report for February 2016 which had been circulated to Council in advance. Mr. MacKenzie highlighted the winter road maintenance which has been much less costly than last year. Mr. MacKenzie also updated Council on the progress of the Kinburn Street bridge project as well as on tenders recently awarded for a gate valve exerciser and cargo van. CAO s Report James Wentzell, CAO, reviewed his monthly report for January and February Among the points from his report that Mr. Wentzell highlighted were tasks related to analysis of the data from the windfarm, preparation with Planning Staff for upcoming public information sessions and public hearings, and training sessions regarding upcoming changes with PVSC and the MJSB IT services. Heritage Advisory Committee Council received the minutes of the February 10, 2016 meeting of the Heritage Advisory Committee, including information about a request received by the Committee for approval of renovations to a Municipal Heritage Property. A motion by Councillor Carver, seconded by Councillor Wilson, THAT Council concur with the recommendation of the Heritage Advisory Committee and approve the proposed addition to 17 Aberdeen Lane as proposed by the applicant, Liam Tayler. Age Friendly Committee Council received discussion notes from a meeting of the Age Friendly Committee on February 17, Councillor Carver reported to Council that Bernice Theriault spoke to those present regarding accessibility assessments and designations available for businesses. 2

3 South Shore Regional Library Council received the minutes of the January 19, 2016 meeting of the South Shore Regional Library Board. Municipal Governance Steering Review Committee Council received the minutes of the February 4 and February 18, 2016 meetings of the Municipal Governance Steering Review Committee. Councillor Bain advised Council that there was a consensus at the Committee level to recommend the budget to the member Councils and that the Committee will be seeking matching funds from the Province. Mr. Wentzell advised Council that the largest cost in the budget is the infrastructure assessment, which the municipal units have to complete anyway. Discussion centered on the progress and direction of the Committee, clarity of the process, the position of the Province and the direction of the member Councils. A motion by Councillor Hennigar, seconded by Councillor Nauss, THAT Staff be directed to get confirmation in writing, from Municipal Affairs, of the NSUARB application process for amalgamation. Specifically, it is our understanding that on application for amalgamation to the NSUARB, the province will then pay for the costs of the studies required to determine if such amalgamation is beneficial to our residents. Further, if amalgamation is deemed beneficial and we choose to continue as we are, that the only penalty imposed on use would be the requirement to reimburse the province for any expenses they incurred in support of the NSUARB s ruling in favour of amalgamation. Motion carried: 5 in favour, 1 opposed A motion by Councillor Hennigar, seconded by Councillor Nauss, THAT Mahone Bay inform the Municipal Governance Review Steering Committee that we are open to participating in a joint meeting of the four units and Municipal Affairs to understand the essential role of the negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding of the principles of fair taxation as a 1 st step in creating the conditions of successful negotiations. Town of Mahone Bay representatives will report at the next meeting of the Municipal Governance Review Steering Committee that no decision was made on the recommended motions submitted to Council by the Committee. Mahone Bay and Area Chamber of Commerce Councillor Carver provided a verbal update on the Mahone Bay and Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC). The MBACC has submitted three grant applications for staffing for the Visitor Information Centre for the 2016 season, and are also looking at small-scale options for 2017 in case of reduced funding availability. Councillor Carver also reported that the MBACC is now hosting Business After Hours sessions and that their Annual General Meeting will be held on April 19 th. 3

4 AREA Update Mayor Feeney reported to Council that he, Councillor Nauss and the CAO had participated in a teleconference AREA meeting on the afternoon of February 25, 2016 to discuss financial information from the windfarm, and ongoing details regarding process with Nova Scotia Power Inc. regarding production of energy at the windfarm. AREA has also confirmed that Enercon will honour their original bid in Canadian Funds to construct turbines on the three remaining sites. All three Councils have approved the Temporary Borrowing Resolutions and approval for the borrowing has been received from the Minister of Municipal Affairs. AREA also has an agreement with Bullfrog Power to buy the excess energy credits. A motion by Councillor Nauss, seconded by Councillor Wilson, THAT Council concur with the intentions of AREA to enter into a contract with Enercon Canada to provide three additional turbines for the Ellershouse windfarm to be financed through a Capital Borrowing from the Municipal Finance Corporation. Unfinished Business Representative Volunteer Process Council agreed to defer discussion of determination of representative volunteers and volunteer recognition until after the Provincial Volunteer Recognition ceremony on April 4, New Business Temporary Borrowing Resolutions Renewal WHEREAS the Town of Mahone Bay is authorized by law to borrow by the issue and sale of debentures of the Town a sum not exceeding One Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($137,500) for the purpose of equipping and maintaining fire departments or emergency services providers; AND WHEREAS pursuant to a resolution passed by the Municipal Council on the 26th day of March, 2009, the Council postponed the issue of debentures and with the approval of the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations dated the 21st day of April, 2009, borrowed from a chartered bank or trust company doing business in Nova Scotia a sum not exceeding Two Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000) for the purpose set out above for a period not exceeding twelve months; AND WHEREAS the said Town has repaid a sum leaving a balance of One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($110,000) to be borrowed for the purpose set out above; 4

5 AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient that the period of borrowing be further extended; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT subject to the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the authorized period of borrowing in the amount of One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($110,000) be extended for a further period not exceeding twelve (12) months from the date of the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs. WHEREAS the Town of Mahone Bay is authorized by law to borrow by the issue and sale of debentures of the Town a sum not exceeding Fifty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($57,500) for the purpose of streets, culverts, retaining walls, sidewalks, curbs and gutters; and wastewater facilities and storm water systems; AND WHEREAS pursuant to a resolution passed by the Municipal Council on the 12th day of January, 2010, the Council postponed the issue of debentures and with the approval of the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations dated the 27th day of January, 2010, borrowed from a chartered bank or trust company doing business in Nova Scotia a sum not exceeding Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Dollars ($360,550) for the purpose set out above for a period not exceeding twelve months; AND WHEREAS the said Town has repaid a sum leaving a balance of Forty-Six Thousand Dollars ($46,000) to be borrowed for the purpose set out above; AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient that the period of borrowing be further extended; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT subject to the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the authorized period of borrowing in the amount of Forty-Six Thousand Dollars ($46,000) be extended for a further period not exceeding twelve (12) months from the date of the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs. WHEREAS the Town of Mahone Bay is authorized by law to borrow by the issue and sale of debentures of the Town a sum not exceeding Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) for the purpose of water systems; 5

6 AND WHEREAS pursuant to a resolution passed by the Municipal Council on the 12th day of January, 2010, the Council postponed the issue of debentures and with the approval of the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations dated the 27th day of January, 2010, borrowed from a chartered bank or trust company doing business in Nova Scotia a sum not exceeding One Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($165,000) for the purpose set out above for a period not exceeding twelve months; AND WHEREAS the said Town has repaid a sum leaving a balance of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) to be borrowed for the purpose set out above; AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient that the period of borrowing be further extended; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT subject to the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the authorized period of borrowing in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) be extended for a further period not exceeding twelve (12) months from the date of the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs. WHEREAS the Town of Mahone Bay is authorized by law to borrow by the issue and sale of debentures of the Town a sum not exceeding Sixty-Six Thousand Dollars ($66,000) for the purpose of streets, culverts, retaining walls, sidewalks, curbs and gutters; AND WHEREAS pursuant to a resolution passed by the Municipal Council on the 8th day of February, 2011, the Council postponed the issue of debentures and with the approval of the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations dated the 16th day of March, 2011, borrowed from a chartered bank or trust company doing business in Nova Scotia a sum not exceeding One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($110,000) for the purpose set out above for a period not exceeding twelve months; AND WHEREAS the said Town has repaid a sum leaving a balance of Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($55,000) to be borrowed for the purpose set out above; AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient that the period of borrowing be further extended; 6

7 BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT subject to the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the authorized period of borrowing in the amount of Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($55,000) be extended for a further period not exceeding twelve (12) months from the date of the approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Representation for the Mayor/Deputy Mayor In the absence of both Mayor Feeney and Deputy Mayor Devenne, Mayor Feeney has asked Councillor Bain to Chair the March 8, 2016 meeting of Council and to fill in as Mayor should there be occasion to do so. Councillor Hennigar will be available to staff as a signing authority in this time. Council adjourned upon motion at 9:20 p.m. TOWN OF MAHONE BAY TOWN OF MAHONE BAY CAO, J. Wentzell Mayor, C.J. Feeney 7